Green light for SKB’s research programme

The Government has approved SKB’s latest programme for research, development and demonstration, RD&D 2022.

Every three years, SKB presents a comprehensive research programme for the management and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. The latest version was submitted to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority in September 2022, since when it has been reviewed and circulated for comment.

Jessica Palmqvist, , Head of SKB’s Research and Development Department.
Photo Mikael Wallerstedt

– It’s gratifying that the Government has approved our research programme. Through continued research and technology development, we will be able to further develop and optimise technology that we will be using in our final repositories, says Jessica Palmqvist, Head of Research at SKB.

In RD&D 2022, SKB and the licensees of the Swedish nuclear reactors present their plans for research, development and demonstration, with a particular focus on the period 2023–2028. The report also presents the plans for implementing the remaining parts of the system for nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel, and for the decommissioning and demolition of the nuclear power reactors.

In its decision, the Government writes that SKB’s RD&D 2022 programme meets the requirements of the Nuclear Activities Act. The report provides an understanding of SKB’s and the reactor owners’ overall plans and programmes, and allows for the openness and transparency that the legislation is intended to achieve. The Government also mandates SKB to obtain viewpoints from the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority prior to future RD&D programmes.

The next RD&D programme will be submitted in 2025.